Jonathan Golfman '03 is VP, Head of Film Business & Legal Affairs at Media Rights Capital. "You need to find your way, and you may need to make sacrifices. But it's worth it to do what you love doing."

Youth Justice Clinic

You are here

Created to address the growing need for skilled lawyers in juvenile justice litigation and research positions, the Youth Justice Clinic focuses on the “school-to-prison pipeline.” In partnership with the Legal Aid Society students work on school suspension cases related to clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies; They work with other organizations and government agencies on impact work to address problems associated with youth in the education and justice systems. Cardozo students work in two-person teams under direct supervision, developing litigation, research, writing and advocacy skills. In addition, they work in case development, client interviewing, counseling, drafting complaints, motions, advocacy materials, as well as learning oral advocacy in a wide range of settings.

In 2014 students from the Youth Justice Clinic visited Riker's Island, the largest jail system in the country, to investigate conditions for juvenile prisoners. The results of their reserach were published in a study called Rethinking Rikers, which called for an end to the use of solitary confinement for prisoners under 18 years of age at Rikers. The students were asked to supply written testimony for a congressional hearing on solitary confinement.

Testimony of Steven Banks, Legal Aid Society - (December 6, 2013) Presented before the New York State Assembly Committee on Codes, Committee on the Judiciary, and Committee on Children and Families, and the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, concerning the prosecution of 16 and 17 year olds in the adult criminal courts.

Litigation - J.G. v. Mills - class action on behalf of students age 7-21 who had a history of involvement with the juvenile or adult court systems and who were entitled to education in NYC schools. Plaintiffs claimed that after being released from court-ordered settings, they were denied re-enrollment in NYC schools. Also address class members who did not receive adequate educational services while in detention in NYC.